FRANKLIN TWP — The state police fire marshal is investigating a blaze Sunday night that damaged a barn in woods at Moraine State Park.

The wood barn, about 60-feet-by-60 feet, was vacant and there were no utilities connected to it. Those circumstances lead investigators to consider the fire suspicious, said Chief Frank Wilson of the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department.

The fire broke out about 8 p.m. in woods about 200 yards off Chestnut Ridge Road.

“A 5-foot-by-15-foot piece of the floor was on fire,” Wilson said. The barn consists of a main floor and basement.

Firefighters armed with pressurized water extinguishers attacked the blaze. A short time later, a brush truck was called in to assist.

The slow-moving fire was contained within 15 minutes, Wilson said. But hot spots kept firefighters busy for some time. He estimated crews used at most 300 gallons of water to snuff out the blaze.

Damage was placed at about $2,000.

Fire officials said they believe the barn used to be part of an old dairy farm owned by the Stamm family. The family eventually donated the property to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which owns the park.

The structure was empty and had apparently not been used for any purpose for years.

Telephone calls to the park and state police fire marshal were not immediately returned this morning.

Prospect firefighters were back at their station by 10:30 p.m.